SportsNation Blog Archives New England Patriots

Patriots win; did Seahawks blow it?

The New England Patriots won the Super Bowl, but it was no easy feat. The Seattle Seahawks led 24-14 in the fourth quarter, then had a second-and-goal at the 1-yard line trailing 28-24. But a questionable play call -- pass instead of run -- kept the defending champs from repeating. What do you make of the big game?

Would Marshawn Lynch have scored the go-ahead TD if given three chances from the 1-yard line?

91%

Yes

9%

No

(Total votes: 241,233)

Which statement better reflects how you feel about Super Bowl XLIX?

39%

Patriots won it

61%

Seahawks lost it

(Total votes: 1,298,595)

Where does XLIX rank among the best Super Bowls you've ever seen?

30%

No. 1

19%

No. 2

17%

No. 3

19%

No. 4-5

15%

Not in top 5

(Total votes: 132,708)

Where does Tom Brady rank among the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history?

Patriots or Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX?

Super Bowl XLIX is just days away, and so-called "Deflategate" still is dominating the talk surrounding the game. No matter what, though, the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks will square off Sunday in Glendale, Arizona, with each team attempting to add to its legacy. The Seahawks are aiming for the first NFL repeat since ... New England, which won its second and third titles under Bill Belichick and Tom Brady in 2003 and 2004. Will it happen again, or will the legendary coach/QB combo get its elusive fourth ring?

Which team will win the Super Bowl?

55%

Patriots

45%

Seahawks

(Total votes: 1,171,438)

Which team are you rooting for to win the Super Bowl?

47%

Patriots

53%

Seahawks

(Total votes: 1,616,968)

Is Russell Wilson an elite quarterback?

41%

Yes

25%

No, but he will be if he wins Super Bowl XLIX

34%

No, even if he wins Super Bowl XLIX

(Total votes: 65,085)

Which unit is better?

43%

Patriots' offense

57%

Seahawks' defense

(Total votes: 63,257)

Who is the better coach?

71%

Bill Belichick

29%

Pete Carroll

(Total votes: 154,843)

If the Patriots win the Super Bowl, will you look at their championship differently because of the underinflated footballs situation?

38%

Yes

62%

No

(Total votes: 156,496)

If Tom Brady wins another Super Bowl, where will he rank among the best quarterbacks of all time?

Shortly after Bill Belichick and Tom Brady denied any knowledge of the New England Patriots' underinflated footballs from the AFC Championship Game, we asked SportsNation: Do you believe the coach and the quarterback?

Patriots free agents: Take 'em or leave 'em

There are 10 players from the 2014 champion Patriots that will hit free agency in March, and that's not counting Darrelle Revis, who is technically under contract but carries a mammoth $25 million cap number. The Patriots will either need to renegotiate that or watch him walk away.

We invite you to share your opinion as well in the polls below. Take into consideration the contract -- both in duration and compensation -- it would take to bring each player back as you cast your votes.

Thoughts on NFL's opening week?

The NFL is back! On the first Sunday, some teams (San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos) won as expected, others (New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots) suffered surprising defeats, and a few more (Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs) were downright demoralized. On Monday, the Detroit Lions grabbed the headlines by routing the New York Giants. What's your take on some of the major questions from Week 1 action?